The software running on a server defines the role of that server. In fact, a server can have two or more different roles at times; it depends on the software. The list of the different roles a server can fulfill is long, but for the purposes of the Server+ exam, you should know the role and function of each of the following server types:

• Application server
• Database server
• Directory server
• File server
• Mail server
• Messaging server
• Network services server
• Print server
• Routing and remote access server
• Web server

The following sections explain each of these server roles.

In the current environment of web-enabled or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications in the cloud, an application server functions...

For computing hardware, a form factor designates the dimensions, shape, and other physical characteristics of a computer case and its contents, including the power supply, mountings for internal storage devices, the motherboard and its mountings, RAM, expansion cards, the socket for the microprocessor, and other slots and mountings. The image that follows shows a variety of motherboard form factors, each of which have been made to fit inside a computer case of the same form factor. An ATX motherboard mounts in an ATX computer case, for example:

It's common, especially in smaller networks and some home networks...

The power requirements of a server system, regardless of its form, are higher than needed by a desktop or laptop computer. Gilster's law (of everything computing) says:

This pretty much sums up the power and cooling systems for servers. The amount of power required by a server, measured in watts, is determined by the components installed and the devices attached to it. The same goes for cooling. The amount and kind of cooling required is a function of the heat generated by the components under power. However, whether the server is a stand alone computer or a blade server in a data center, the device power and cooling systems must provide a sufficient level of service to power and ventilate its components. The challenge in choosing and installing the right equipment for these tasks is anticipating growth...

All electronic devices produce heat. Some do so more than others, and cooling must reduce the heat effect to avoid failure or intermittent problems. The electronic components found inside a server (mostly on the motherboard) that produce significant heat include microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs), chipsets, RAM, and voltage regulator modules (VRMs). Of these, microprocessors (CPUs) and GPUs produce most of the heat inside a server. High heat conditions or a condition called thermal stress can affect the service life or operations of electronic components. Physics tells us that when things get hot, they expand, and when they cool off, they contract. Any electronic component that continuously goes through heat and cool cycles, meaning expansion and contraction, is stressed, which can lead to performance issues. The bigger the difference between how hot...

In this chapter, you learned that the software running on a computer establishes its role as the server. A server can provide a variety of services to a network's clients, including: application servers, file servers, mail servers, messaging servers, network servers, print servers, RRAS, and web servers. The different types of application servers are LAN application servers: query-based application servers, and application/web servers. A file server is either dedicated or non-dedicated. Network services servers provide core services on the OSI application layer. Although the NOS provides many network services and protocols, services such as the DNS, DHCP, IM, VoIP, and NTP may come from a network services server. Proxy servers are intermediate network servers that accept, fulfill, filter, and forward requests from remote clients. The types of proxy servers are: gateway...

1. Which of the following is not a common type of application server?
   1. LAN application server
   2. Web server
   3. DHCP server
   4. Query-based application server

2. Which of the following is true about file servers?
   1. A file server can only be a dedicated server
   2. A file server can be either dedicated or non-dedicated
   3. A file server cannot be virtualized
   4. A file server and a database server are essentially the same

3. What type of server hosts protocols such as DNS, DHCP, VoIP, and NTP?
   1. Proxy server
   2. File server
   3. Messaging server
   4. Network services server

4. You have the task of installing and configuring a proxy server on your in-house network to reduce traffic from the LAN to the WAN. Which of the following general configurations should you use?
   1. Gateway
   2. Internet-facing
   3. Internal-facing
   4. Open
   5. Reverse

5. True or false: A virtual server is any server that hosts virtual private networks....